Local Catholics await decision on new pope

SMYRNA, Ga. — The world will have to wait at least another day to find out if Roman Catholic cardinals will pick a new pope.

Black smoke poured from the Sistine Chapel's chimney Tuesday afternoon signifying they have not elected a new pope, and metro Atlanta Catholics are all watching the process.

Father Brian Sheridan focused on the secret election, or conclave, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church's Tuesday noon service in Smyrna. Father Brian told Channel 2's Craig Lucie that there is no other process like the conclave.

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"It is an event of the church that goes beyond words.  We invite everyone to recognize that their prayer is very important to asking the Holy Spirit to guide the hearts, minds and souls of the cardinals that move into the conclave to serve and to find who is going to be the next leader," he said.

On Tuesday night, the cardinals share dinner at their isolated temporary home within the Vatican walls.

"They are encouraged to discuss among themselves so they will have the vote-getters from the very first vote, and they will talk," said Vatican analyst John Thavis.

Father Brian and his parishioners said despite being thousands of miles away, they are with them for the holy process that may take days.

"The process is wonderful. The Holy Spirit is working in the process and the Holy Spirit is with them," said parishioner Clarence Burkholder.

WSBTV